Learn About Geary County Heritage in These Intriguing and Amusing Articles From our Museum Staff

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Our Past is Present February 21, 2017

February 21, 2017

This is “Our Past
Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

Today’s story is
titled “Stranded On A Train That Got Stuck In A Snow Drift”.

Fifteen passengers on a snow bound MK&T
railroad train had to be rescued late on the afternoon of February 27th, 1912
and were brought to Junction City on a work train. Of the fifteen, eight were
local residents and they had interesting stories to share about their experience.
Mr. and Mrs. Will Waters and Mr. And Mrs. L.A. Wennerstein had spent the day on
Sunday in White City then boarded the train to come back to Junction City that
evening. The train plowed through the snow drifts until the train engine shoved
into a five foot snow drift two miles north of Skiddy and got stuck there.

When the train
stopped earlier at Skiddy, it had been agreed with the personnel there that if
the train got stuck, the engineer would blow the train whistle as a distress
sign and a group of men would be sent out to assist. A nearby farmer heard the
calls and went to investigate. Upon seeing the stuck train, he returned to his
home and was soon returned with a big batch of biscuits, eggs and coffee. The
mail clerk turned his car over to the ladies and Mrs. Waters and Mrs.
Wennerstein were placed in charge of serving the food to the other passengers.

The engine on the
train died after the hard coal for the coach heaters was exhausted and the
train became quite chilly. The men passengers rose to the occasion and gave
their overcoats to the women. The men retired to the smoker coach where they
spent the night playing cards and smoking. The following morning the conductor
managed to get into Skiddy and returned with a large quantity of provisions
purchased from the Maloney Store. That evening a work train from Junction City
got within two miles of the train and the passengers transferred to it. Two of
the ladies fainted upon reaching the rescue train. Eventually all of the passengers
were safely returned to Junction City and they were thankful!!!

Geary County Museums

The Museum is open Tuesday-Sunday 1-4 and is closed for holidays.There are three floors of exhibits, both permanent and rotating. We have a wonderful gift shop where you can buy trinkets for yourself or others. The Museum building is available for rent, email for more information. We have three Satellite sites available upon request.